Paper dispenser



Aug. 26, 1952 D. M DONALD ET AL PENSER PAPER DIS I 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 Filed July 18, 1949 1 III INVENTORS.

DONALD m 110mm w PA UL W FROBE Their fi'fiarneys.

1952 D. MCDONALD E-T AL PAPER DISPENSER Filed July 18, 1949 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTORS.

DONALD Mc DONALD and PAUL W F'BOBE Their "i815 Patented Aug. 26, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT oFFIcE Donald M'clionald, Dayton, a d Paul Frote, Cincinnati, Ohio Application July 18, 194a Serial no. 105,310

' 11.01am. (o1. 242:5)

This invention relates to a paper dispenser and more particularly to a dispenser of. the type used in dispensing toilet paper and which automatically dispenses a predetermined quantity of pa-i per in response to actuation of a push button or the like. i

"Various paper dispensers have been designed from time to time, buteach of these have'had disadvantages in that they have been hard to- It is an object of this invention to provide a paper dispenser in-w-hich the user only as am ce ss to that portionof; the pa er which is tobe out off by the user. 'This object is accomplished by providing a dispenser in which additional paper is exposed only after the user has cut off the desired amount of paper. i

More particularly it is an object of this invention to provide a dispenser in which ressure on a spring pressed plunger" or the like first severs a predetermined quantity of paper as the plunger is pushed in and then prepares to dispense a new supply of paper astheplunger moves outwardly.

Another object of this invention is toprovide a practical dispenser which may be manufactured at a low cost. r V

Still another object of this invention isto pro-- vide a dispenser which is quiet in operation; 7

Other objects and advantages reside inthe construction of parts, the combination thereof and the mode of operation, as will becomem'ore apparent from the following description.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view ot thedevice taken substantially on line 4 of Figure. 2, with parts broken away, so astoexpose the pa'- per feeding mechanism;

Figure 2 is a front elevational view with partsbroken away; i

Figure 3 is a side elevationalview with parts broken away; and" plyof'paper. w H H e For purposes of illustration, the invention has ,been shown as applied to a toilet paper dispenser,

whereas certain features of the invention are equally applicable for use in dispensing other types of paper and various other kinds of paper thin material. Consequently, the term paper as used herein is intended to be given-a; broad interpretation and to apply to various equivalent kindsof strip material. Likewise, the-unitshown is one thatis intended to be countersunk into a recess in the wall, whereas it is to be understood that" certain aspects of the invention are equally applicable to units which are adapted to be mounted on a flat surface;

Referring now to Figure 1 ot the drawings, reference numeral HI designates a mainframe whioh'is adapted tob'e; inserted into a recess in a wall such as the-wall [2. The frame Ill includes a rear guard H whiclr may be in the form of a strip as shown" or it may be in the form of a fully closed' casing which is adapted to be countersunk into a recess ma wall in accordance with common practice.

As'best shown in Figures- 3 and 4', a rolllof paper IT is adapted to' be' supported on a spindle F6.

carried by a movable inner frame member is which-is" hinged to the main frame I!) at 20 and is adapted to swing? out from the main frame for refillingas shown. The inner frame member H3 is provided with an arcuate paper guide wall 22 over which the free end of the paper 2 is ar rangedto-pass' as'shown;

As indicated in lfiaure 4 of the drawings; the

roll of paper is mounted- 0a the spindle: It with the free end 2i of the; paper overlying the arcuate" guide wall 22. In refilling' the-dispenser, the new roll of paper is simply laid in place with the" free end hanging down as ShOWI-i.- The paper feeding and cutting mechanism is carriedby' the outer movabIe frame or covermemb-e'r 24 which is hinged to the main frame ['0 at-ZE." The outer frame or cover" member 2 1 is provided with side flanges 25 which project into themain frame: [91 The cover 24 serves to'conceal tlie main supply of paper and serves toboth enclose and support the paper feeding and cutting mechanism.-

As best shown inliilgurel of the drawings; the main operator 29 for'the paper feeding and cut ting. mechanism comprises a sheet" metals-tamping which includes a push button or pushbar portion 28 which projects forwardly" at the bot-' tom edge of the cover 24; .The operatcr'zil i's hinged to the outer frame or cover 24 by means of the hinge pin 30 which also supports the cam 58 which will be described hereinafter. The portion 28 has a serrated paper cutting edge 32 formed along its bottom edge. The serrated paper cutting edge 52 cooperates with a complementary serrated cutting edge 34 provided at the lowelr end of the paper guide 22 as shown in Fi ure In order to hold the paper during the cutting operation, there has been provided a paper gripping crossbar or brake 35 which is mounted on the lower end of a spring leaf 38 secured to the inner surface of the operator 29. This crossbar moves with the operator 29 and serves to clamp v the paper against the serrated cutting edge 35 as pressure is applied to the button or bar 28 so as to firmly grip the paper during the cutting operation, thus serving as a brake. The mechanism for feeding the paper is designed so as. to feed a new supply ofpaper'as the operator 23 moves out rather than when the operator moves in as is the usual practice. The main operator 25 is biased into its full line'position, as shown in Figures 1 and 3, by suitable spring means such as the blade spring 45] (see Figure 3) which has its upper end welded or otherwise secured to theinner surface of the'cover 25 and has its lower end pressing against the inner surface of the operator 29. The paper feeding mechanism comprises an arm or lever 53 which is adapted to rotate or oscillate about a pivot pin 52 which is fixed to the side flange-25 of the cover 24. The outer endof the arm to isbent over, as shown in Figure 2, and pivotally supports an elongated rubber finger or paper feeder 54. The arm 59 carries a roller 56 which cooperates with an operating cam element 58. The camelement 58 is secured to the hinge element 59 which in turn is pivotally supported on the hinge pin 39. The cam element 58 is adapted to bemoved from its full'line position shown in Figure l to the dotted line positionby means of the cam element Gilwhich is secured directly to the operator 29 and which supports a pair of rubber buffers 62 in sucha manner that there is a lost motion connection between the cam element'58 and the operator 60.. A compression coil spring 6| is arranged as shown for preventing rattling and for urging the operator 29 to move away from the hinge element 59. As pressure is applied on the operator 28, the element 6!) acting through the lower buffer 52 willshove the cam element 58 upwardly so as to move the paper feeding arm 59 from its full line position into its dotted line position. The weight of the depending portion of the finger element 54 plus the weight of the overhanging end 55 of its supporting shaft tend to cause the element 54 to' normally hang downwardly as shown in Figure 1. During the first portion of the upward movement of the arm the paper feeding element 54 does not contact the paper whatsoever and when the arm 55 approaches its upper position, the corner of the element 54 lightly rides over the paper without moving the paper. As the element 54 approaches its upper position, the paper-clamping crossbar or brake 33 will have moved into paper clamping position and will prevent the paper feeding element 55 from feeding the paper in the wrong direction. However, when pressure on the push bar 28 is released, the spring 40 will begin to return the parts to their full line position and as the parts thus return, the paper'gripper 54 will feed a predetermined quantity of paper from the roll 5 Figure 1.

of the spring 64 also assists in forcing the cam 7 element 58 to return to its full line position once the roller 55 rides over the peak point on the cam element 58.

The relationship between the center of rotation of the arm 5!! and the curvature of the paper guiding wall 22 is such that the gripper 54 loses its grip on the paper at the end of the paper feeding movement. By virtue of the above described arrangement, it ,is obvious that a new supply of paper is fed down as the push bar 28 andoperator 28 return to theinnormal. position and that thehuser can pull out any additional amount of paper he wishesbefore :pressing on the operating bar-28" for severing the paper. The

amount of paper automatically fed down by the dispenser is largely determined by theshape and arrangement .of the..cam element, '58 and the design is preferably such. thatfthe desired 7 amount of paper is automatically fed down whereby it is notn'ecessary to exert any further pull on the paper. V

Although the preferred jembodirnent of the device has. been described, it will be understood that within the purview of thisinvention various changes may be made in the form, details, proportion and arrangementof parts, the combination thereof and mode ofoperation, which generally stated consist ina device; capable of carrying out theobjects set forth, as disclosed and defined in the appended claims.

Having thus described our invention, we

claim: 1 v

1. In a paper dispensena main frame, an inner framepivotally mounted on saidTmain frame'and having means thereon forsupporting a .roll of paper from which paper is tobedispensed, and a cover for said mainframe and cooperating with said main frame to substantially enclose said roll of paper and said inner frame, said cover being hinged to the main frame adjacent the upper edge thereof and adapted .to be raised to expose the inner frame, saidinner frame, being hinged to said main frame adjacent the bottom edge thereof and beingadapted to swing outwardly and downwardly soas .tobe accessible while renewing the supply of paper.

2. In a paper dispenser, a main frame, an inner frame pivotally mounted on said main frame and having means thereon for supporting a roll of paper from which paper is to be dispensed, and

a cover for said main frame and cooperating with said main frame tosubsta-ntially enclose said.

roll of paper, said cover being hinged to the main frame adjacent the upper edge thereof and 65 adapted to be raised to expose'the inner frame,

said inner frame being hinged to said main frame adjacent the bottom edge thereof and being adapted to swing outwardly and downwardly, so as to be accessible while renewing-the supply of paper, said inner frame having a side wall on guide wall terminating in a cutting edge.

frame pivotally mounted on-said main framand having means thereon-for supporting a rollof paper from which paper is .to be dispensed-a, cover for said main frame and cooperating with said main frame to substantially enclose said roll of paper, said cover being hinged to the main,

frame adjacent the upper edge thereof and adapted to be raised to expose the inner frame, said inner frame being" hinged to said mainframe adjacent the bottom edge thereof and being adapted to swing outwardly and downwardly so as to be accessible while renewing the supply of paper, said inner frame comprising a side wall having a paper roll supporting spindle carried thereby and an arcuate guide wall over which the paper to be dispensed is adapted to pass, said arcuate guide wall terminating in a serrated cutting edge, and means having a complementary serrated cutting edge, said last named means being pivotally supported on said cover.

4. In a dispenser for use in dispensing strip material, a main frame, means carried by said main frame for supporting a quantity of strip material, a cover cooperating with said main frame for enclosing said supply of strip material, a lever pivotally carried by said cover and including a projecting push button adjacent its one end, means for biasing said push button out wardly, means for severing said strip material including a cutting element carried by said push button and operable to cut the strip material upon inward movement of said button, strip feeding means operable in response to outward mov ment of said push button for feeding a predetermined new supply of said strip material, said cover having a bottom outlet through which said strip material is to be dispensed, and means carried by said push button for gripping said strip material during the cutting operation.

5. In a paper dispenser, a main frame, means for supporting a roll of paper within said main frame, a closure member cooperating with said main frame for enclosing said roll of paper, paper feeding means carried by said closure member, paper cutting means carried by said closure member, and a common operator supported on said closure member for operating said paper feeding means and said paper cutting means, said paper feeding means comprising a pivoted lever having a cam follower mounted thereon, a cam element pivotally supported by said closure member and adapted to actuate said cam follower so as to cause oscillation of said lever, and means operated by said operator for oscillating said cam element, said last named means having a lost motion connection with said cam element.

6. In a paper dispenser, a main frame, flange means for positioning said frame in a fixed position in an aperture in a wall, said frame having an opening at the front thereof which is in alignment with said flange means, an inner housing pivotally secured to the lower edge of said main frame and swingable into and out of said opening in the main frame, a roll supporting spindle carried by said inner housing, cover means for said opening and for enclosing said inner frame, said last named means comprising a cover element which is hinged at its upper edge to said flange means and which is adapted to be swung out of the path of said roll supporting frame so as to expose said supporting spindle.

7. In a dispenser for use in dispensing strip material from a roll, means for supporting said strip material including a circular shield overlying said roll, meansfor guiding said material over said circular shield, means cooperating with said strip as it passes over said; shield for feeding a predetermined quantity of said material, said feeding means'including a gripper operable to move in -two directions and being operable to frictionallyengage the materlal i n its one direc tiori ofmovement, operating mechanism for said feeding rneansrand cutting fmeans for cutting s'aid material-operated in resp'onse to movement of said operating mechanism in the one direction, said mechanism serving to cause said cutting means to sever said strip in the one direction of movement of said operator and serving to operate said strip feeding means in the other direction of movement of said operator.

8. In a dispenser for use in dispensing toilet paper, a main frame, means carried by said mainframe for supporting a roll of toilet paper, a cover cooperating with said main frame for enclosing said paper, a lever pivotally carried by said cover and including a projecting push button at its one end, means for biasing said push button horizontally, said push button comprising an elongated one-piece bar-like element formed of stamped sheet metal and terminating in a serrated cutting edge, and paper feeding means operable in response to outward movement of said push button for feeding a predetermined length of the paper.

9. In a paper dispenser, a main frame, means for supporting a roll of paper within said main frame, a closure member pivotally mounted on said mainframe and cooperating with said main frame in the one relative position thereof for enclosing said roll of paper, paper feeding means carried by said closure member, paper cutting means carried by said closure member, and a common operator supported on said closure member for operating said paper feeding means and saidpaper cutting means.

10. Means for dispensing paper from a roll comprising in combination, a stationary frame, a cover hinged to said frame, a roll supporting frame pivotally supported on said stationary frame and including an arcuate guide surface over which the paper to be dispensed travels, a paper feeding means including a lever, means for pivotally supporting said lever on said cover, a paper feeding finger pivotally carried at the end of said lever for feeding the paper over said guide surface, and a counterbalance weight for urging said finger out of engagement with said paper in the one positionof said lever and for urging said finger into engagement with said paper in another position of said lever.

11. In a dispenser for use in dispensing strip material, a main frame, means carried by said main frame for supporting a quantity of strip material, a cover cooperating with said main frame for enclosing said supply of strip material, a lever pivotally carried by said cover and ineluding a projecting push button, means for biasing said push button horizontally outwardly, means for severing said strip material including a cutting element formed integrally with the lower edge of said push button and operable to cut the strip material, and strip feeding means operable in response to outward movement of said push button for feeding a predetermined length of said strip material.

DONALD MCDONALD. PAUL W. FROBE.

(References on following page) 7 1 REFERENQES CITED 7 Number The fdllowirig references are of record in the 13671942 file of this patent; W v igg-iig fi-fee -ffisem 5 211461038 Number @Name. Date" 2,487,763

489,737 TB wen Jan. 10, 1893 1,473,089 Faust-ru Nov. 6,1923 1,567,655 Krueger Dec. 29, ,1925

Name Date Rugen June 24, 1930 Parker et a1., Aug. 8, 1933 Phillips May 15, 1934 West Feb. 7, 1939 Patterson et a1 Nov. 8, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date 7 Great Britain of 1911 

